Texas law keeps "unresponsive", pregnant woman on life support against her will

Unbelievable this Texas law is. It should be criminal. It is totally disrespectful and wrong to keep someone alive against their will even if they are pregnant. She's pretty much dead. And this fetus won't last long either of it makes it past birth. It is outrageous.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/With...and-hopes-to-fulfil-her-wishes-236654371.html

FORT WORTH -- Erick Munoz sat quietly as he thumbed through several photos of his family.

They are reminders of good times, like the birth of their son, Mateo. It's a light moment during what has been a very trying and dark time for the Munoz family.

"As the days have gone by, the images are becoming more permanent in my head," Erick said.

Erick is talking about the moment he saw his wife, Marlise, unconscious on the living room floor at around 2 a.m. Nov. 26. As a paramedic, Erick rushed in to do CPR and later called 911.

Marlise Munoz, who was 14 weeks pregnant at the time, was taken to JPS in Fort Worth. Family members say doctors suspected she suffered a pulmonary embolism, but didn't know with complete certainty.

"You just never think it's going to be you," Erick said.

Marlise has been on life support since that day in November. Erick tells News 8 she has not regained consciousness and is "simply a shell." Tests are done daily on the fetus, and results show a normal heart beat.

Both Marlise and Erick are paramedics in the Tarrant County area, and both have had serious conversations about what to do if the worst happens. Marlise's mother told News 8 that conversation started when Marlise lost her brother tragically four years ago.

"We knew what her wishes were," Erick said. His wife told him she never wanted to be kept alive by machine.

Marlise was taken to the emergency room at JPS in the early morning of Nov. 26. Later in the day, the family was informed by doctors that they would provide any life-saving measures because she was pregnant. The family was told the hospital was taking that measure because of state law in Texas' Health and Safety Code.

"Section 166.049 Pregnant Patients. A person may not withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatment under this subchapter from a pregnant patient," the code reads.

Even more, in a health directive form found under the Health and Safety Code, it reads, "I understand under Texas law this directive has no effect if I have been diagnosed as pregnant."

Erick said he did not officially sign a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) form, but said it was a topic that was "talked about" and mutually agreed upon. However, even with a signed DNR form, the statute to protect the pregnancy would take priority.

Officials at JPS could not speak directly to the Munoz' case, but did respond in a broad sense.

"We have families every day that face really difficult decisions when it comes to the care of their loved ones and we would have the same response. We follow the law," said J.R. Labbe with JPS.

"I don't agree with this law... I don't," Erick said.

He said this law keeps him from honoring his promise to Marlise.

"It's hard to reach the point where you wish your wife's body would stop," he said.
Attorneys said Marlise’s family could try to go to court to get an injunction or restraining order to allow her wishes to be carried out. But most say it would be difficult to find a Texas judge to grant it. They say it’s unlikely a mother’s wishes would be allowed to override a child’s potential.

Erick said the testing of the fetus is so limited it's hard to tell if the fetus is viable. He said he does not expect a lot of people to side with him on this.

He also said he doesn't want to get into a long, drawn-out fight over pro-life and pro-choice.

"They don't know how long the baby was without nutrients and oxygen," Erick said. "But I'm aware what challenges I might face ahead."

The next series of tests of the fetus will be at 24 weeks, which is mid-February. Family members tell News 8 doctors may know then when the fetus can be removed.

Erick said doctors have even discussed taking the fetus to full term.
Those wishing to help the family financially may do so by making a donation to Erick & Mateo Munoz at Wells Fargo Bank or make a check out to "CPFFA 4182" and mail or drop it off at 201 E. Main St., Crowley, TX, 76036.

 

He should transfer his wife out of state without this ridiculous law.

 

I don't think he can move her or I'm sure he would have.

 

Sure he can, thats his decision and his alone.

 

Then I'm sure he would have done that. I inquired this question on Twitter from others discussing it. If they have an answer I'll post it.

 

The baby is showing a normal heart beat. Does the husband KNOW that the wife would have wanted the baby she is carrying to die too.....because she had the misfortunate event that she did? Just because they had previously discussed end-of-life decisions regarding themselves....doesn't mean she EVER discussed it about these particular circumstances. I'll just bet that IF that baby is born perfectly normal, he'll want it. What do you bet?

 

Erick said the testing of the fetus is so limited it's hard to tell if the fetus is viable. He said he does not expect a lot of people to side with him on this.

He also said he doesn't want to get into a long, drawn-out fight over pro-life and pro-choice.

"They don't know how long the baby was without nutrients and oxygen," Erick said. "But I'm aware what challenges I might face ahead."

The next series of tests of the fetus will be at 24 weeks, which is mid-February. Family members tell News 8 doctors may know then when the fetus can be removed.

Erick said doctors have even discussed taking the fetus to full term.

 

Another example of Texas thinking women are just incubators.

 

Texas is a very bad state to be female in.

 

Exactly, I read that already. So, why in the world would he....or the doctors.....or anyone else want to make the decision now, based on all the unknowns? Sounds like they'll have some answers possibly at the 24 week testing. If the baby appears normal on sonograms and other testing, I can't imagine he'd not want it.

 

This baby could be female. I'd say in that case.....it's a pretty good state for females to be in. Her right to life is being protected....and I think her mother would want the same for the child.

 

It's pretty much guaranteed that that baby will be (*)(*)(*)(*)ed up permanently if it even makes it past birth and the ICU stage.

 

So you're a mind reader now?

 

In which case, the father should have grounds to sue the state and the hospital for damages including enough money to pay for the specialized care the child will require forever.

 

This would happen in a few more states than Texas:

Alaska,
Arizona,
Arkansas,
Alabama,
Colorado,
Delaware,
Florida,
Georgia,
Idaho
Illinois,
Indiana,
Kansas,
Kentucky,
Michigan,
Minnesota,
Missouri,
Nebraska,
Nevada,
New Hampshire,
Ohio,
Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island,
South Carolina,
South Dakota,
Utah,
Washington,
Wisconsin

http://www.centerwomenpolicy.org/pr...lProxyStatutesMeganGreeneandLeslieR.Wolfe.pdf

 

Screw that. The only humane thing to do there for the baby, him and his wife who's rights were violated is to let the baby die.

 

A female baby?

 

Sounds like he's more worried about "the challenges he might face later", than he is the child.

- - - Updated - - -

Says who? Please quote that definitive diagnosis of the baby's condition.

They left it out of the OP link, for some reason...perhaps because it is non-existent....

 

Wouldn't you be? Can you imagine having to care for a brain dead husk for the rest of your life?

 

I cannot imagine referring to my own child in that manner, no.

I see that in the frenzy to kill the baby , if at all possible, the Forum Left is now imagining a verified diagnosis of brain damage in the infant, to justify its blood lust.

 

The fetus was deprived of oxygen and nutrition for a period to time that cannot be determined. It is highly likely that it will be deformed or brain damaged especially considering how early in the pregnancy it occurred and how fragile the human form is at that point.

A brain dead husk is not in any way "a child". It lacks any of the qualities that make a child a child.

 

She was dead for some time before they put air into her.

When a pregnant woman dies so does the nutrients (the fetus lives off of) and there is no oxygen (the fetus lives off of). What do you think happens to the fetus when this happens?

Sure, the fetus has a heart beat, it's still alive, but any doctor knows that even 5, 10 minutes without nutrients and oxygen will damage the brain of any living specimen.

 

The have no idea even IF the baby was deprived of oxygen or nutrition, according to the OP link.

Feel free to continue the Kill the Baby Madeup "Expert" Prognosis, as you need to , however.

As I said, see how the Forum Left are now MEDICAL EXPERTS, with more knowledge of the baby's condition than have the attending physicians...all in the interest of KILLING him/her as soon as possible.

 

All the oxygen does not immediately vacate a human's red blood cells at the moment of death.'

Your TOTALLY SPECULATIVE "expert analysis", notwithstanding.


As I said, see how the Forum Left has become MEDICAL EXPERTS, in their desperation to see this baby KILLED, asap.



The miracle baby born to a woman 13 weeks after she 'died'


A pregnant woman declared brain-dead after a major stroke was kept on life-support long enough to deliver a healthy baby, while her organs saved lives.

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style...-baby-born-to-a-woman-13-weeks-after-she-died

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How about the mob of Dementors seeking thisTexas baby's death here, put way the torches and pitchforks, and let's just see how the little one does, shall we?

How NOBLE is the Left....

 

The woman is unconscious and the doctors are talking about bringing the baby to full term. I think they have more knowledge about this situation than we do. I don't see what the problem is about. It sounds like the woman is brain dead and so that removes the moral and ethical problems for this situation, fortunately.